Triple Titan! For those who don’t know you, could you tell us a bit about yourself?
Sure – I’m Triple Titan, a multi-genre songwriter, music producer, composer based in London (UK).
How did you get into all that?
Well… how long have you got!?
Why don’t you start from the beginning?
Ok – I guess my musical life really began at 6 years-old when my primary school music teacher introduced me to different instruments and asked me what I wanted to learn. I remember having an affinity for both the drums and the trumpet… probably because they make an absolute racket! Also, I was a keen beatboxer at that age hence the drums’ appeal. My teacher somehow persuaded me to take up the violin instead and so I began taking lessons.
Fast forward 3 years, I then took up piano lessons. Another 3 years down the line, my violin teacher suggested I audition for the Royal College of Music Junior Department! For those that don’t know, the Royal College of Music (RCM) is a specialist music conservatoire just opposite the famous Royal Albert Hall in London. I thought why not, my parents were supportive, so I did!
The audition went well and I ended up being schooled at the RCM for 5 years every Saturday during school terms. I’m not gonna lie… it was pretty intense – it was basically a sixth day of school with violin and piano lessons, then music theory lessons, string quartet and choir practice as well as string orchestra practice for about 2-3 years then I graduated to the Symphony Orchestra. Bear in mind I also had quartet, orchestral and sport practice at my normal school during the week – it’s safe to say I was often exhausted at the end of each week but it certainly taught me how to be disciplined with my time.
Wow that does sound exhausting! Were you writing music at this point?
Not really outside music tuition, more just performing. During my last 2 years at RCM I joined the National Youth Chamber Orchestra (NYCO) where I toured different parts of the UK and abroad during the Easter holidays. Again – super intense! Especially the hours of practice we had to put in…but, truth be told, I absolutely loved it.
It wasn’t until I got to University that I started to really create my own stuff.
What did you read?
You would have thought I studied music right?! At 18, my dream was to become a video game programmer as I loved video games at that age. I actually ended up studying Engineering – that’s the science one not the music one…! I thought I should do something a bit broad that gave me options post-uni.
So while at uni, I wanted to branch out from the classical music scene. I started a band after teaching myself to play guitar and drums (I should mention the beatboxing at 6 years-old helped with this!) – but that went down like a lead balloon after a short time! I then dabbled with iPad music apps – my favourite was one called “Loopy” which was essentially an 8-track looping software where I recreated songs and also created my own ones by using only my voice. It was probably doing this that made me think: “Yeah, I really enjoy this!”
I made a few tracks with Loopy, showed friends and family some of whom were wowed by what I could do with my voice alone! That prompted me to then invest in some music software upon leaving university.
What software was that?
I started out with FL Studio, then tried out GarageBand which just made total sense to me in terms of workflow. It was then an obvious choice to move from GarageBand to Logic Pro. I still use Logic Pro X, mainly for mixing stuff but I wanted to broaden my music technology skills when I left uni so I studied a course at the London Academy of Music Production which really opened my eyes to the world of music production. I now use Ableton Live a lot as well as Pro Tools for mastering/writing to picture stuff.
What led you to want to be a multi-genre producer?
Why? If I’m honest, I don’t know anyone who’s taste in music is as eclectic as mine! I don’t come from a musical family but my parents did, and still do, enjoy listening to music in the house. Mostly old school R&B/Soul but they also like a bit of classical, bit of country, pop and a few other genres. On top of that, by the time I hit my teens, I discovered rock through school friends. Combine this with the classical music tuition I was receiving you can see why I’m all embracing when it comes to music genres. I always say I can see the beauty in most people’s music, in other words, there aren’t many styles I don’t like! My broad taste in music reflects the broad range of styles I’m able to write and produce in.
Interesting… if you had to choose who would be your favourite music artist or composer?
Hmm… that’s a real hard one, how about I divide that question into three parts: favourite solo artist, band then composer….
Favourite solo artist would have to be a toss up between a Norwegian soul singer called Bernhoft and the rapper Logic… I actually was lucky enough to meet Bernhoft and his manager backstage after he headlined a gig back in 2014 – great guy, really friendly!
Favourite band is a toss up between Muse, who were probably the first rock band I loved, and Coldplay, who I didn’t like years ago but they grew on me.
Finally, my favourite composer would be a toss up between John Powell, my modern choice and Tchaikovsky, my “back-in-the-day” choice! John Powell’s work, especially his scores for animation which makes up the bulk of his work, are a great inspiration for me.
I know I basically gave two answers per choice but there’s so much great stuff to choose from!
